20 Years Without Valentín Elizalde: Makers of New Docuseries Discuss the Late Musical Icon & His Still-Unsolved Murder

A new HBO Max docuseries revisits the final 72 hours of regional Mexican singer Valentín Elizalde, who was murdered in Reynosa in 2006. Its producers say the case remains unresolved, and they hope the series will draw attention to the continuing problems of violence and impunity in Mexico.

Directed by Ida Cuellar, the three-part series uses archival material and accounts from people including Elizalde’s cousin, ex-wife, daughter, manager and fellow musician Carín León. It examines theories including a forbidden romance, organised crime links and betrayal, while stressing that it is a documentary rather than a judicial investigation. Elizalde’s family said they would not comment because they did not take part in the production or review its contents.